The inside scoop on food in Los Angeles

Combo plate: Boogeyman farmers markets, sweet treats and more

June 7, 2010 | 10:37
am

--Are you afraid of the farmers market? Does it seem intimidating to you? Do you get there and feel overwhelmed, short of breath, unsure of what to do next? Do farmers markets make you feel like you've been left out of some big, important food secret? Blogger Darya Pino thinks the farmers market is a big, scary, meanie place, so she offers up her top 10 tips for fitting in. (Once you get over your fears, we invite you to read David Karp's weekly Market Watch report.)

--Mati White, soon to be ex-wife of chef Marco Pierre White, says she's broke and cannot afford an attorney: She will throw herself on the mercy of the court as she seeks to get an equitable divorce settlement. [U.K. Times]

--Will travel for cheese: California has its happy cows, but Wisconsin remains the king of cheese: Although big factories churn out most of what's found in supermarkets, there are still a number of mom-and-pop producers who welcome visitors to watch as they make award-winning artisan cheeses. And sampling is encouraged.

--Library Alehouse in Santa Monica is highlighting Sierra Nevada during the month of June, with a paired dinner on June 8 and a fundraiser on June 29: Fifteen percent of the latter day's sales goes to Ocean Park Volleyball.

--This is either a story about how great literature -- in this case, Ray Bradbury's "Dandelion Wine" -- can inspire you to new creative heights, or it's a cautionary tale about how great literature can drive you to drink. You decide. [Venus Zine]